The Elmhurst Model Railroad Club provides fun for all ages

EdNov2024_ElmhurstModelRRClub_02-e1731716332427

By Katie Bolinger

Just across the street from the Union Pacific West (UP-W) Line, behind an unassuming door, and down a flight of stairs, you’ll find the Elmhurst Model Railroad Club (EMRRC). This hidden gem is a paradise for train enthusiasts. You can ring the bell of a real Santa Fe prairie-type locomotive to announce your arrival.

You become a giant once you cross the threshold, growing 87 times your normal size. Most tracks set up at EMRRC are HO models with a 1:87 ratio to their full-size counterparts. Once you acclimate to your new size, you can explore the landscape created by the club’s 150 members. The basement is around 4,800 square feet, so there is a lot to see.

The train platforms were made of plywood and wired up for the trains to run, and then the scenery was built by hand. The layout is a perpetual work in progress as things are added and older, dustier pieces are replaced. “You can’t really clean them, you can just replace them,” said Dan Hollis, a board president and frequent key monitor.

Some structures are made from kits, but a large portion are made using cardboard, polystyrene foam, wire, glue, paint, flocking, and a bit of humor. The EMRRC layout is filled with pop culture references, from Arnold’s Drive-In of Happy Days fame to the Walton & Sons Lumber Co. from The Waltons and even a group of penguins waiting for a train à la The Blues Brothers. There is even a working drive-in theater that shows films from the 1950s. Local haunts like the Elmhurst Quarry and the businesses along First Street are also displayed. Ask for a list of things to find when you enter.

When asked how people get started with this hobby, Hollis explained that for some, O-gauge trains circling Christmas trees might have planted the seed, though most couldn’t say for sure what drew them in. O-gauge trains are larger and sturdier than HO models. A small child or curious pet can’t do much damage to them. Others may have been bitten by the bug after a field trip to the club.

The club offers youth groups and church organizations Operation Lifesaver, a train safety program. The program features an educational video highlighting the dangers of trying to beat a train at a crossing. Younger participants receive coloring books and pins, and everyone can build their own HO-scale model train car to take home. The experience wraps up with a tour of the club’s layout, showcasing fully operational trains. The club is open to the public for free on Friday evenings from 7-10 pm and Sunday afternoons from 1-4 pm.

Many members began their interest in model trains at a young age, but it typically faded as they started dating and enjoyed the freedom of driving. After taking a break to start families, they often return to the club when they become empty nesters. Families often join so their kids can experience running their trains on the tracks. The club owns the tracks, and members bring their own trains when they visit.

EMRRC members have a range of interests. Some are passionate about the computer programming and electrical wiring that make the trains run, while others focus on model making or simply enjoy running trains on the tracks. Many members are retirees. Some worked for the railroad, while others worked in fields requiring fine motor skills. To honor members who have passed away, the club incorporates their names into the layout through features like Van Nort Electronic Supply and James J. Klein Memorial Park.

Whether you’re a lifelong train enthusiast, new to the hobby of model railroading, or just looking for an interesting outing, the Elmhurst Model Railroad Club offers a unique and welcoming space to explore.

For more information, visit emrrc.net.

Author

Executive Chef Stephen Langlois

Feeding His Passion: Newly appointed Chef Stephen takes the helm at The Westin Chicago Lombard

The Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, NM

Celebrating A Century of Open Road: Now in its 100th year, this slice of Americana still beckons travelers

Tely Nagle, Drake Hotel Proprietor, in the Romanesque gardens
Photo by Victor Hilitski

Welcome In! The Drake Oak Brook’s elegance and charm are back to stay

ATJMAH_CM_2223

Striking the Right Note: The Chicago Youth Orchestra shapes the lives of aspiring young musicians

The camaraderie of the volunteers often keeps them involved after their student graduates

Always Boosting: Hinsdale Central’s Booster Club helps fill gaps in student activity and athletic budgets

Anne Schultz, MD, FACP Cindy Lagone, MD, FACP

Authentic Internal Medicine: Building relationships with patients and the community

Hair loss problem after covid search Instagram Post Minimalist -

Is hair loss on your mind? Reclaim Your Crowning Glory

Kristina and Matthew Bailey began reading books to their son, Owen when he was six months old— they haven’t stopped.
Owen turned 4 in June and recently received an award from the Clarendon Hills Public Library for having had 1,000 books read to him before starting kindergarten.

The library’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge is one of a few reading challenge programs offered in Clarendon Hills, where the Bailey family has lived for the past 2 1/2 years.
Kristin Bailey said she saw an ad about the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge and decided it was a good fit for Owen.

“He’s always been really into books,” Bailey said. “He had a natural interest in books at nine months old. That’s when COVID started, and he didn’t get out much, so reading books to him worked out very well. He’s a naturally curious kid, and imagination-building is important. The reading allows him to learn and explore new things, and he really wants to learn to read now.”

Krista Devlin, the Clarendon Hills library’s youth services librarian, said there’s a specific reason The Friends of the Library-sponsored 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge was started in 2022.

“Reading aloud to a child is one of the best ways to help develop important early literacy skills, which will prepare them for kindergarten,” Devlin said. “It is also a great way to bond with your child and to encourage a love of reading.”

Devlin said Owen was the second child to reach the challenge of having 1,000 books read to him before starting kindergarten. He was awarded a certificate, a crown, and his picture was taken to recognize his accomplishment.

Bailey, who said she is “a big reader,” said her family usually goes to the library once a week. Reading three books each night to Owen, along with a book before nap time, is the household normal.

“Consistency in our routine has been good and is important,” she said, adding that Owen’s two sisters, ages 2 1/2 and 1

An open book: Clarendon Hills four-year-old earns library recognition

Charlie Tomfohrde and his array of house plants for sale at the Hinsdale Farmers Market

A Budding Entrepreneur: Charlie Tomfohrde’s plant business continues to grow

Terri Doney (left) and co-founder Barb Thayer are “sisters” in the group, My Breast Cancer Sisters

Breast Cancer survivors: Hinsdale area group looking for others to help

Maxx Klein and Jack Klein

Airoom’s New Design Space Maxx and Jack Klein take the helm of their family’s business

IMG_4543

Oak Brook Bath & Tennis Club A Tennis Player’s Dream